Agroecological Practices to Control Pests in a Perennial System: The Apple Orchard

Apple orchards are perennial multi-layer habitats with potential for natural pest regulation but are heavily dependent on pesticides. This study reports two experiments: one combining system-level levers to reduce pesticide use, achieving insecticide reduction but highlighting the need for disease-resistant cultivars for fungicide management; and another manipulating ground cover resources—buckwheat sowing and grass height—to assess their effects on natural enemy communities and predation of sentinel prey. Results show variable responses among auxiliaries and underscore the complexity of ecological interactions, leading to proposed agroecological redesign strategies for sustainable orchards.